Abstract
This research was conducted to discover whether pregnancy prediction is possible in female 13-lined ground squirrels (TLGS; a small hibernating ground squirrel named for their number of stripes). Pregnancy status in this species, we postulated, could be anticipated by generating profiles for individuals via a non-invasive technique known as fecal endocrine hormone profiling. Fecal samples were collected from 13 females thrice weekly for 4 weeks post-hibernation in the breeding season of 2016. Fecal samples were then processed and run through an assay known as an ELISA giving concentrations of hormone metabolites excreted through feces. We then set these samples against time points to develop a profile for each female. We have ascertained that elevated progesterone (potential pregnancy) can be detected by a commercially available assay kit. Understanding hormone patterns in animals gives researchers a better idea of best husbandry practices, including breeding in managed care.
Highlights
The 13-lined ground squirrel (TLGS; Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is a rodent species native to most of central North America with a habitat that includes short-grassy areas and is an important model species for studies of hibernation biochemistry and physiology (Vaughan et al 2006, Berg von Linde et al 2015, van Breukelen & Martin 2015, Jastroch et al 2016, Ratigan & McKay 2016, Reilly & Franklin 2016, Tupone et al 2016)
TLGS have historically been challenging to breed in captivity (Vaughan et al 2006, Merriman et al 2012), in part because ground squirrel physiology is strongly influenced by circannual rhythms (Helm et al 2013)
A non-invasive method for determining progesterone patterns pre-breeding and throughout gestation was the main goal of this research, and specific objectives included: (1) validate the use of the Arbor Assays progesterone assay for use in the quantification of progestogen metabolites in the TLGS, and generate reproductive profiles of breeding-season females for use in diagnosing pregnancy and monitoring reproductive status, (2) to determine if TLGS exhibit a progesterone withdrawal that is akin to other sciurids and (3) uncover useful information that progesterone patterns might reveal such as correlations between progestogen metabolites concentrations and litter size, as well as sex ratio of offspring
Summary
The 13-lined ground squirrel (TLGS; Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is a rodent species native to most of central North America with a habitat that includes short-grassy areas (such as golf courses, pastures, lawns, and cemeteries) and is an important model species for studies of hibernation biochemistry and physiology (Vaughan et al 2006, Berg von Linde et al 2015, van Breukelen & Martin 2015, Jastroch et al 2016, Ratigan & McKay 2016, Reilly & Franklin 2016, Tupone et al 2016). TLGS have historically been challenging to breed in captivity (Vaughan et al 2006, Merriman et al 2012), in part because ground squirrel physiology is strongly influenced by circannual rhythms (Helm et al 2013). In common with wild animals captive male emergence in managed settings is scheduled before female emergence to allow for the resumption of spermatogenesis (Streubel & Fitzgerald 1978). In wild and managed populations males will mate multiple females, and each female produces a single litter of 4–14 young (Johnson 1931).
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